Optical system for endoscope

ABSTRACT

An optical system is disclosed for an endoscope having a generally tubular distal end in which an objective lens assembly and an image sensor in the form of a solid-state video camera are internally housed so that an image formed by the lens assembly is focussed upon the input or pickup surface of the video camera. The video camera is disposed along or in proximity to the center axis of the distal end of the endoscope and in some instances is oblique with respect to the center axis. The video camera may be positioned in this way due to the provision of a reflecting surface which is angularly disposed in opposing relationship with an input surface of the video camera, and deflection means disposed in front of the lens assembly and within the objective lens assembly, or between the lens assembly and the reflecting surface so that an image formed by the lens assembly can be focussed on the input surface of the video camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 765,355, filed Aug. 13, 1985, to be patented on Jan. 19, 1988, as 4,720,178.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an image pickup optical system for an electronic endoscope in which there is a solid-state image sensor disposed within a stiff distal end of the endoscope.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As is well recognized, a solid-state video camera may be formed by charge coupled devices (CCD) which are arranged in the form of a dual in-line IC package. The package has an imaging plane or input surface defined in a part of the top surface thereof, and is internally assembled with peripheral circuits. Accordingly, the overall size of the video camera will be as large as several times the dimension of the imaging plane. When it is desired to construct an endoscope utilizing such a solid-state video camera for taking a picture, a difficulty is experienced in the arrangement of the camera. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows the distal end 1 of an endoscope in which an objective lens assembly 2 is disposed. If a solid-state video camera 3 is disposed rearwardly of the lens assembly 2 in an orientation so that it is perpendicular to the length or axial direction of the endoscope, the size of the solid-state video camera 3 requires that the diameter of the distal end 1 of the endoscope be increased, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, which is undesirable. Accordingly, to overcome such difficulty, an arrangement is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 46,922/1983 in which a reflecting member 4 such as a prism, as shown in FIG. 3A, is disposed rearwardly of the objective lens assembly 2 within the distal end 1 of the endoscope so that the optical axis extending from the lens assembly 2 may be bent in a direction perpendicular to the length or the axial direction of the endoscope, thus permitting light for observation to impinge upon a solid-state video camera 3' which is now disposed so as to extend parallel to the axis of the endoscope. However, it will be appreciated from FIG. 3B that in this instance, because the solid-state video camera 3' is offset from the optical axis of the lens assembly 2, the camera 3' cannot be disposed in proximity to the center axis of the distal end 1, and hence stiff distal end 1 must still be of relatively large diameter so that the patient will be subjected to discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an optical system for an endoscope utilizing a solid-state video camera which permits a picture to be taken wherein the length and diameter of the relatively stiff distal end of the endoscope which internally houses an objective lens assembly and the video camera can be minimized.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a variety of deflection prisms which permit a solid-state video camera to be disposed along or in proximity to the center axis of the distal end of an endoscope so that the maximum dimension of the video camera can be received within the extent of the greatest width of the distal end.

It is another object of the invention to provide a deflection prism which is applicable, not only to the optical system for an endoscope of direct view type, but also for endoscopes of lateral and oblique view types.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an optical system including a prism, disposed in an optical path and which is formed of a material exhibiting a birefringence or which has a λ/2 phase film evaporated on one surface thereof so as to be effective in preventing the occurrence of moire fringes which tend to form in an image produced by a solid-state video camera.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an optical system including a prism disposed in an optical path and which is formed of an infrared absorbing glass or which has an infrared reflecting coating applied to one surface thereof in order to remove unnecessary infrared rays.

In an image pickup optical system for an endoscope including an objective lens and a solid-state image sensor, one construction that accomplishes the foregoing objects provide a reflecting member or prism disposed along an image pickup optical path for inclining its optical axis with respect to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope, and the solid-state image is disposed obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope on the optical axis which is inclined by the reflecting member. With this arrangement the image sensor can be disposed in a space of a reduced dimension measured longitudinally of the endoscope and enables the endoscope diameter to be reduced, thereby minimizing the volume of the stiff distal end portion of the endoscope and by so doing facilitating insertion of the endoscope and reducing the pain that the patient is likely to experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a schematic side elevation and a schematic front view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate conventional endoscopes, FIGS. 2A and 3A being schematic side elevations and FIGS. 2B and 3B being front views;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a prism used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 to 12 are schematic views, illustrating different prisms and optical systems which represent modifications of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an optical system according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an optical system which is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an Optical system according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an optical system which represents a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of an optical system and a prism used therein according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic side elevation of an endoscope distal end having an optical system, prism and image sensor arranged in accordance with a fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a phase film which is used to prevent the occurrence of moire fringes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, several embodiments of the invention will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B initially, there is shown an optical system 10 for an endoscope of direct view type which is constructed according to the invention. As shown, the endoscope includes a distal end 11 having an objective lens assembly 12 disposed therein. It will be apparent from FIG. 1B that the lens assembly is disposed in substantially coaxial relationship with the center axis of the distal end 11. A solid-state video camera 13 is disposed along or near the center axis of the distal end 11 so that it is located in a region having the greatest width in the cross section of the distal end 11. An angled prism 14 includes a first reflecting surface 14a disposed opposite to an input surface 13a of the video camera 13 at an angle thereto, and a second reflecting surface 14b. Both the first and the second reflecting surfaces 14a and 14b comprises specular surfaces that may be implemented by aluminum coatings. A reflecting prism 15 is disposed rearward of the objective lens assembly 12. Light for observation which is incident on the distal end 11 in a direction indicated by an arrow X passes through the objective lens assembly 12 and is then reflected upward, as viewed in FIG. 1A, by the prism 15 to impinge upon the angled prism 14, the second reflecting surface 14b of which reflects the incident light, which is then subject to a total reflection at the bottom surface thereof to be reflected then by the first reflecting surface 14a, whereby it is emitted from the angled prism 14 to be focussed upon the input surface 13a of the video camera 13.

The described arrangement allows the solid-state video camera 13 to be disposed along or near the center axis of the distal end of the endoscope, whereby the camera 13 is situated within the distal end 11 so that the maximum dimension of the camera 13 is disposed in the region of the maximum width of the distal end. Since the angled prism 14 is received in a space which is left on one side of the input surface 13a of the solid-state video camera 13, it does not require any increase in the diameter of the distal end 11. In this manner, the diameter of the distal end 11 of the endoscope can be maintained at minimum.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the angled prism 14 and the reflecting prism 15 shown in FIG. 1A. In this Figure, a ray of light from the objective lens assembly 12 is denoted by b and a ray of light which is emitted from the angled prism 14 toward the video camera 13 by a. By respectively representing the angles of inclination of the first reflecting surface 14a the second reflecting surface 14b of the angled prism 15 by α, β and γ we have

    α-β+γ=90°-φ/2,

Where φ is the angle between the incoming and outgoing path segments b and a, respectively, for light impinging upon the input of prism means 15, 14. The angled prism 14 and the reflecting prism 15 may be cemented together or may be spaced from each other with a narrow gap therebetween. In addition, the angled prism 14 may serve as a cover glass for the input surface 13a of the video camera 13

FIGS. 5 to 12 show several modifications of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 5, the bottom of the angled prism 14 shown in FIG. 1A is formed by a separate prism 14' in the form of a plate which is formed of a material exhibiting a reduced refractive index so that the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 14b of the prism 14 is subject to a total reflection at the boundary surface between the prisms 14, 14'. This arrangement functions in the similar manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1A while assuring the total reflection at the bottom surface of the angled prism 14 if the angled prism 14 and the reflecting prism 15 are cemented together.

In FIG. 6, the angled prism 14 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1A is replaced by a combination of a prism 16 which is angularly disposed in opposing relationship with the input surface 13a of the solid-state video camera 13, and a dach prism 17 which is positioned so as to cause light from the reflecting prism 15 to impinge upon the prism 16. In this instance, the both prisms 15 and 16 may also be constructed as dach prisms. In either instance, the arrangement operates in a similar manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1A. In the arrangement of FIG. 6, the prism 17 may not be a dach prism. It may be formed by a prism of triangular form which is easily polished, thus reducing the cost. By changing the distance l between the reflecting surfaces of the prisms 16 and 17, it may be used with a video camera 13 of any size.

In FIG. 7, the combination of the angled prism 14 and the reflecting prism 15 shown in FIG. 1A is replaced by a pair of prisms 18 and 19 which are disposed as shown. This arrangement permits the distance l between the incident ray of light upon the video camera 13 and the first reflecting surface of the prism 18 to be increased as compared with the arrangement of FIG. 5, thus allowing the arrangement to be used with a solid-state video camera of a greater size than that shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 8, the prism 18 shown in FIG. 7 is replaced by a dach prism 20. In both instances, the arrangement operates in a similar manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1A while allowing a solid-state video camera 13 having an increased length to be used. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of FIG. 7 involves and odd number of reflections to produce an inverted image while the arrangement of FIG. 8 produces an erect image.

FIG. 9 shown an arrangement including a pair of prisms 21 and 22 and which permit the number of reflections to be reduced compared to the arrangement of FIG. 7. Either one of the prisms 21 or 22 may comprise a dach prism, thereby producing an erect image.

FIG. 10 illustrates an arrangement which makes use of three prisms 23, 24 and 25. The prism 25 may comprise a dach prism. When either prism 23 or 24 comprises a dach prism, an erect image is produced.

FIG. 11 illustrates an arrangement which uses a pair of prisms 26 and 27. It will be appreciated that this arrangement can be used with a solid-state video camera 13 of an increased size since the distance l can be increased as compared with the arrangement of FIG. 5. It is to be understood that any of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 operates in a similar manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 12 illustrates an arrangement in which the objective lens assembly 12 of direct view type which is used in the embodiment of FIG. 1A is replaced by an objective lens assembly 28 of lateral view type including an intermediate prism 28a. If either prism 28a or 15 comprises a dach prism, an erect image is produced.

FIG. 13 shown an optical system for endoscope according to a second embodiment of the invention. Specifically, an endoscope 30 is of the lateral view type and has a distal end 31 in which an objective lens assembly 32 is disposed in a direction which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the distal end 31. A solid-state video camera 33 is disposed along or near the center axis of the distal end 31. An angled prism 34 has a first reflecting surface 34a which is disposed at an angle with respect to and in opposing relationship with an input surface 33a of the video camera 33 and a second reflecting surface 34b. A ray of light which passes through the objective lens assembly 32 impinges upon the angled prism 34, and is sequentially reflected by the second and the first reflecting surfaces 34b and 34a and is then emitted therefrom to be focussed upon the input surface 33a of the video camera 33. An erect image is produced if either the first or the second reflecting surface 34a or 34b of the prism 34 comprises a dach surface.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 where the objective lens assembly 32 is divided into a first section 32a disposed on the front side of a second angled prism 35 and a second section 32b disposed on the rear portion of the prism 35 and in order to accommodate for a relatively long overall length of the objective lens assembly 32. Either embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 permits the solid-state video camera 33 to be disposed in proximity to the center axis of the distal end 31a of the endoscope since the optical axis of the objective lens assembly is once directed laterally to one side of the input surface with respect to the center axis of the endoscope and then introduced to the reflecting surface which is angularly disposed in opposing relationship with the input surface 33a.

FIG. 15 shows an optical system for endoscope according to a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the objective lens assembly is of an oblique view type and includes as prism 36 therein, and the optical system also includes a prism 37 which is disposed over the input surface 33a. FIG. 16 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in FIG. 15, including prisms 38 and 39. Either arrangement shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 can be applied with an endoscope of oblique view type while allowing the solid-state video camera 33 to be disposed in proximity to the center shaft of the distal end thereof. The arrangements shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are constructed with prisms which do not contain dach surfaces, thus reducing the cost while allowing an erect image to be produced.

FIG. 17 shows a further modification of the modification shown in FIG. 16 where certain elements of the objective lens assembly may be disposed between prisms 16 and 17 in order to accommodate for an increased overall length of the objective lens assembly.

In FIG. 18, solid-state image sensor 40 in the form of a video camera is disposed within the relatively stiff distal end housing 11 of an electronic endoscope along the longitudinal center axis thereof. The latter coincides with optical axis 3 of objective lens assembly 12 and housing 11 is of circular cross-section. Image sensor 40 is at a substantial inclination with respect to axis 3, permitting rays of light from the associated objective lens assembly 12 to impinge upon the input image sensing or pickup surface 47 of sensor 40 while utilizing a single prism 41. The use of the single prism 41 reduces cost and produces a positive image. Prism 41 may be formed of a colored glass And may serve as a color temperature conversion filter.

In FIG. 18, distal end housing 11 of a direct view type endoscope also encloses objective lens assembly 12 having front lens 2 that is exposed at the front or distal free end portion 11. Objective lens elements 42 of assembly 12 are disposed along optical axis 3, and prism 41 is disposed behind lenses 42 for changing the direction of the optical axis 3. That is, prism 41 is a single member having a triangular cross-section defined by three active walls 43, 44, 45, with oblique wall 43 and longitudinal wall 44 defining an acute angle therebetween, and oblique wall 43 and transverse wall 45 defining another acute angle. Transverse wall 45 confronts lenses 42 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of housing 11. Oblique wall 43 is parallel to and confronts pickup surface 47 of solid-state image sensor 40.

Light rays that enter housing 11 travel along a zig-zag optical path to reach pickup surface 47. This path includes longitudinal segment 3a, oblique segment 3c and intermediate segment 3b that connects segments 3a and 3c. That is, light rays projected by objective lens assembly 12 along axis 3 that coincides with longitudinal segment 3a pass through prism wall 45 and impinge upon the interior of prism wall 43 from which they are internally reflected and travel along intermediate segment 3b to the interior of prism wall 44. These light rays are internally reflected by prism wall 44 to travel along oblique segment 3c and then pass through prism wall 43 to impinge upon pickup surface 47.

It should be apparent, by comparing the oblique (solid line) and longitudinal (dash line) positions of image sensor 40 in FIG. 18, that by having image sensor 40 in the oblique position shown the rear or right end thereof is closer to objective lens assembly 12 than it is with sensor 40 in the longitudinal position. Thus, by having sensor 40 in the oblique position shown the longitudinal dimension of relatively stiff distal end housing 11 is reduced without the necessity of increasing its diameter.

In each embodiment described above, if an input surface of the solid-state video camera is located at an increased distance from the objective lens assembly to prevent light from the lens assembly from being focussed upon the input surface, a relay lens or lenses may be interposed between the lens assembly and the input surface so as to permit the image to be focussed upon the input surface.

It should be noted that the moire fringes tend to be formed in an image which is produced by a solid-state video camera. The occurrence of such moire fringes can be prevented by forming at least one of the prisms inserted in the optical path of a material such as quartz which exhibits birefringence. The occurrence of moire fringes can also be prevented by evaporating phase films having a phase difference which is substantially equal to an odd multiple of one-half the wavelength in the form of fine dots arranged randomly, as indicated in FIG. 19, on at least one surface of the prism so that these dots totals to one-half the area of the surface.

Also, undesired infrared rays can be removed by forming at least one of the prisms inserted into the optical path by an infrared absorbing glass or by applying an infrared reflecting coating on at least one surface of such prism.

In the above description, a prism or prisms have been used to cause a reflection of a ray of light from the objective lens assembly. However, it should be understood that such prism or prisms may be replaced by mirrors. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An image pickup means for an endoscope having an elongated housing at its distal end portion wherein said image pickup means is disposed;said image pickup means comprising solid-state image sensor means including a pickup surface, and an optical system that directs light downstream along an optical path from a distal free end of said housing to impinge upon said pickup surface; said housing having a longitudinal axis; said image sensor means being longitudinally inclined from end to end, said optical path having an oblique segment that is inclined substantially with respect to said longitudinal axis; said pickup surface being oblique with respect to and extending across said longitudinal axis, and being disposed on the oblique segment to receive light that is directed downstream along said oblique segment.
 2. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 1 in which the pickup surface is in a plane.
 3. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 2 in which the optical system includes a lens assembly, and light reflecting means disposed between said lens assembly and said pickup surface;said lens assembly receiving longitudinally directed light and directing same to said reflecting means; said reflecting means redirecting said light to impinge upon said pickup surface while being directed along said oblique segment and toward said longitudinal axis.
 4. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 3 in said optical path includes a longitudinal segment upstream of said oblique segment and an intermediate segment interposed between said longitudinal and oblique segments.
 5. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 4 in which the reflecting means includes a first reflection surface which receives light directed downstream along said longitudinal segment, and redirects said light away from said longitudinal axis and along said intermediate segment;said reflecting means also including a second reflection surface which receives light directed along said intermediate segment by said first reflection surface; said second reflection surface redirecting light toward said longitudinal axis and along said oblique segment.
 6. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 5 in which the pickup surface is generally parallel to the first reflection surface.
 7. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 6 in which the first reflection surface also constitute an outlet through which light directed along the oblique segment exits from the reflecting means to impinge upon the pickup surface.
 8. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 7 in which the reflecting means includes a prism.
 9. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 8 in which the prism is a single element having a triangular cross-section.
 10. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 9 in which the cross-section is defined by said first and second surfaces and an additional surface;said first and second reflection surfaces being connected directly to each other at their downstream ends; said additional surface connecting the first and second reflection surfaces to each other at their upstream ends.
 11. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 10 in which the additional surface is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal segment and constitutes an input surface through which light directed downstream along the longitudinal segment enters said prism.
 12. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 11 in which substantially all of said pickup surface is disposed to one side of said longitudinal axis.
 13. An image pickup means system as set forth in claim 1 in which substantially all of said pickup surface is disposed to one side of said longitudinal axis. 